MEEKER | Meeker High School students were treated to a night of games, prizes, food and activities during the annual After Prom event this past weekend, a parent-driven, community-supported tradition designed to provide a safe, supervised environment following prom.
The event was held April 25 at Meeker High School and ran from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., welcoming students from all grade levels. Organizers said the goal is to offer students a drug- and alcohol-free place to continue celebrating after prom while keeping safety a top priority.
Kylee Gardner, one of the lead organizers, said the primary goal is to give students a safe alternative to post-prom parties.
“The main goal is to get all the kids to join us in a safe space to prevent the idea of going out to party,” Gardner said. “Our goal is to get as many students as possible from the high school.”
To encourage participation, organizers structured the event around prom’s schedule, opening doors shortly after the dance ends.
“They leave prom, have time to change, come over to After Prom, and then doors lock,” she said. “They are allowed to leave whenever they want, but they can’t come back if they leave.”
Gardner said incentives like prizes and activities are designed to keep students engaged throughout the night.
“That’s why we do the prizes, to kind of entice them to want to be there,” she said.
She added that events like After Prom are especially important in a small, rural community.
“In a small town, there are places they can go if they want to have a party or use drugs and alcohol,” Gardner said. “It would be so devastating to our community if something would happen. Keeping them as safe as possible is just the best way to go.”
Gardner said After Prom has existed in Meeker for years, though it has depended on parent involvement. The event was revived in recent years after a pause, with parents continuing to organize and build on the tradition.
The event drew about 112 students this year.
From the school’s perspective, High School Principal Amy Chinn said After Prom plays an important role in providing students with a safe option after prom night.
“Many parents are appreciative of knowing that their kids are doing something that is supervised and safe,” Chinn said.
She added that while the school is not responsible for student activity after the dance ends, she values the message the event sends.
“I really like that ‘there’s nothing else to do’ is not a valid excuse to party,” Chinn said. “I know that the 112 kids who attended the after prom party at the high school were drug- and alcohol-free and had a great time.”
Chinn noted that After Prom support has varied over the years depending on parent leadership and involvement, but when it is held, it reflects strong community commitment.
“I love our community,” she said. “There was so much money and so many prizes donated. It was fun to see, at 2 a.m., how many kids were so excited about the prize drawings.”
Valerie Thompson, Meeker High School secretary, said the event is made possible through a combination of parent volunteers and community support.
“After Prom is a parent-driven, community-supported event,” Thompson said. “All that planned, participated and sponsored the event chose to be involved.”
Thompson said this year featured a mix of high-energy and low-key activities spread throughout the school. In the small gym, students played dodgeball, spikeball, cornhole and Twister, with cornhole proving especially popular. The main gym hosted basketball and volleyball games, while the auditorium offered a showing of the new Armageddon movie. In the commons area, students could play poker, design hats, and enjoy food and prize drawings.
“This was the first year we offered a movie in the auditorium and it was a good low-energy option,” Thompson said.
She also highlighted the level of support from the community, which included dozens of donated prizes, as well as food and drinks for students throughout the night.
“Our community is outstanding,” Thompson said. “They always go above and beyond to support our students.”
Gardner emphasized that the event would not be possible without that level of support, noting that nearly 40 businesses and community donors contributed this year, along with numerous parent volunteers.
“We wouldn’t be able to pull it off and make it as exciting if we didn’t have them,” Gardner said.
Students checked in, received event T-shirts, selected prize drawings and participated in activities as the energy built throughout the night.
“The energy really picked up as students began arriving after the dance,” Thompson said.
Both organizers and school staff said the event reflects the community’s shared commitment to student safety and well-being.
“The safety of our students is a top priority,” Thompson said. “Giving them the option to safely build memories, socialize and continue the night of fun is crucial.”
Organizers said the event is only possible because of strong community support, expressing gratitude to the many local businesses, parents and volunteers who donated time, money and prizes. They added that the generosity helps make the event both successful and memorable for students each year.
After Prom volunteers helped keep activities running smoothly throughout the night at Meeker High School on April 25, ensuring students had a safe and enjoyable celebration following prom. Pictured are Tania Valeriano, Karli Pena, Chandra Mills, Kim Maupin, Kylee Gardner, Jess Berthelson, Keri Greiser, Cece Carrillo and Valerie Thompson.
